Bye-bye V12 Vantage! Hello V12 Vantage S!
You can forget about the Aston Martin V12 Vantage from now on, there’s a new kid in town and he’s walking around town like there’s an “S” on his chest, beneath that finely-stitched tuxedo. The V12 Vantage is no more, and Aston Martin is bringing even more performance to the model range with the new V12 Vantage S.
“The new V12 Vantage S is, simply, pure Aston Martin,” said Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez. “It is extreme in its nature yet truly timeless in its design language. Learning from our successes on the track feeds the development of this type of car and Im proud to launch such an exciting sports car in this, our centenary year.”
The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage S is about taking a step forward in performance, design, and technology for the British brand. A new AM28 6.0-liter naturally-aspirated V-12 engine with the latest Bosch engine management sits beneath the hood of the new super car and borrows components from the company’s racing program such as CNC machined combustion chambers and hollow cam shafts. Power jumps up to a total of 573 PS (565 hp) at 6,750 RPM and 457 lb-ft. of torque at 5,750 RPM, with 376 lb-ft. being available from just 1,000 RPM to provide a broad power curve. The new engine also helps push the overall top speed all the way back to an impressive 205 mph, making it the fastest Aston Martin road car other than the One-77.
Singing all sorts of beautiful notes is a newly-developed exhaust system derived from the Aston Martin One-77 hyper car. The exhaust is lighter, smaller, and louder than the outgoing model, making the process of stepping on the throttle even more exciting.
But that’s not the only special thing about the new powertrain; a new Sportshift III AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) takes the gearbox from the V8 Vantage S to another level of performance. The new transmission weighs 25 kg (55 lbs.) less than the outgoing six-speed manual and offers precise shifts with minimal torque interruption. Drivers control the transaxle through a pair of motorsport-style paddle shifters.
New technology is also featured throughout the chassis of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S. For the first time in the Vantage family, a three-stage damping system is used. Three modes; Normal, Sport, and Track, alter the suspension’s characteristics and work alongside the transmission, throttle response, ZF Servotronic power-assisted steering, and exhaust to change the character of the super car.
Aston Martin is heading towards a new design direction that began with the CC100 Speedster Concept car. Many of the design cues have made their way into the new V12 Vantage S such as the aerodynamically-optimized front grille in black carbon fiber or titanium silver mesh. A new graphics package with a black-painted roof and partially-painted trunk, and a set of lightweight forged 19-inch ten-spoke wheels all differentiate the new model from its predecessor. The new V12 Vantage S will feature the same compact size, flared wheel arches, and hood vents that the model has been known for.
Inside, Aston Martin has given the V12 Vantage S numerous changes that reflect its more athletic character. News seats come standard or customers can opt for Sport and Carbon Fiber Lightweight replacements with new Luxmill and semi-aniline upholstery and new stitch and welt details. Customers that want the full motoring experience can choose alcantara upholstery and the optional Carbon Fiber Interior Package that includes a carbon fiber fascia, door pulls, and black foot pedals.
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S replaces the V12 Vantage model and should cost close to $200,000 when it goes on sale later this year.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Specifications
Body:
-Two-seat, two-door coupe body style
-Extruded bonded aluminium VH body structure aluminium, magnesium alloy, composite and steel body.
-Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
-Halogen projector headlamps (main beam)
-High Intensity Discharge headlamps (dipped beam)
-Black headlamp bezels
-LED rear lamps
-Clear rear lamps with a black border
-Carbon fibre front splitter and rear diffuser
Engine:
-AM28 all-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48 valve, 5,935cc, V12
-Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
-Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
-Max power: 565 bhp (573 PS) at 6,750 rpm
-Max torque: 457 lb ft (620 Nm) at 5,750 rpm
-Acceleration (estimated): 0-60mph in TBC seconds
-Max speed (estimated): 205 mph (330 km/h)
Transmission:
-Rear mid-mounted ‘Sportshift™ llI’ seven-speed automated manual transmission with electronic shift-by-wire control system.
-Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
-Limited-slip differential
-Final drive ratio 3.7:1
Wheels and Tires:
-19-inch, 10-spoke forged alloy, diamond-turned and Graphite-painted wheels
-Front wheel: 9J x 19″
-Rear wheel: 11J x 19″
-Front tyre: Pirelli P Zero Corsa 255 / 35 ZR19
-Rear tire: Pirelli P Zero Corsa 295 / 30 ZR19
-Tire repair kit
Dimensions:
Length: 4385 mm (inc. front number plate plinth)
Curb Weight: TBC (estimate)
Width: 2022 mm (inc. mirrors)
Fuel tank capacity: 21.1 US gal (80 liters)
Height: 1250 mm
Wheelbase: 2600 mm
Steering:
-Rack and pinion, power-assisted steering
-2.6 turns lock-to-lock
-Column tilt and reach adjustment
Brakes:
-Front: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 398 mm diameter with six-piston monobloc calipers.
-Rear: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 360 mm diameter with four-piston monobloc calipers.
-Black painted brake calipers
-Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with track mode
-Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
-Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
-Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
-Traction control (TC)
Suspension:
-Three Stage Adaptive Damping System (ADS) – Normal, Sport and Track modes
-Front: Independent double wishbones incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube dampers.
-Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, dual-rate coil springs and monotube dampers.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Gallery
[Source: Aston Martin]
Is the new V12 Vantage S your favorite model in the Aston Martin lineup?
